Rating

Required Files

Final Image

In this tutorial we are going to use only 2 stock images that I found on SXC.
Here are the links:
http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=912717
http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=1047566

Step

02

CpotoracMember since:Aug 2010

First thing you need to do is to cut the soldier out of the background using the Pen Tool (P) and delete the background. Leave only the soldier visible and a transparent background. Name the layer Soldier.

Step

03

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Next I want you to make a new layer and place it under the Soldier layer.
Using the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) make a selection and fill it with black as I did. Name the layer Ground.

Step

04

CpotoracMember since:Aug 2010

Next I need you to bring on the project the other image stock and resize it and maybe remove the pigeons using the Clone Stamp Tool (S). Also name the layer Sky.

Step

05

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Duplicate the sky image and then go to Image – Adjustments – Black & White and play with the settings a little. If you are not using Photoshop CS3 you might not have this buttons. In this case use the Desaturate button.

Step

06

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Now set the Black & White sky layer to Multiply.

Step

07

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Again repeat step 5 but this time, apply the technique to the Soldier.

Step

08

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Now duplicate the Soldier layer that you just made Black & White to make the soldier darker.

Step

09

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Make a new layer and place it above all the layers. Using the Brush Tool (B) simply brush with black over the soldiers feet.

Step

10

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Repeat step 9 but, this time make a selection of the soldier and brush as I did.
Next set the layer to Multiply and Opacity 33%.

Step

11

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Make a new layer over the soldier. Fill it with white and go to Filter – Render – Clouds. Now go to Filter – Sketch – Chrome. Set the Details to 10 and Sharpness to 10.

Step

12

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Transform the chrome layer. Next you need to mask it to be visible only around the soldier. Last set it to Multiply and 78% Opacity. This will make the soldier look like he is wet.

Step

13

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In this step we will make the rain.
Make a new layer, name it Rain and place it over all the other layers. Fill the layer with white then go to Filter – Noise – Add Noise.

Step

14

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Next go to Filter – Blur – Motion Blur and set it to 24 pixels and angle -63.

Step

15

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Now go to Image – Adjustments – Levels and use my settings:

Step

16

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Last thing you want to do is to set the Blending Options to Screen.

Step

17

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Now you need to start adding you text. Use my settings for the Blending Options.

Step

18

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Next make another rain layer just as you did with the first rain layer you made. But this time you will leave the rain to be more intense and also mask the rain layer into the WAR text as I did.

Step

19

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Set the layer to Multiply and Opacity 62%.

Step

20

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Next you will need to add your own text. For the rest of the text I did not used any effect. Just made the text grey #9f9f9f.

Step

21

CpotoracMember since:Aug 2010

In the end you will be able to add more detail to the soldier by brushing some white over him as I did.
Keep experimenting and use what you learned here with your own techniques.